|
Who are the Three Major Credit Bureaus?
back to top
Are there any other Credit Bureaus?
There are literally dozens of smaller credit bureaus throughout the United States, many serving specialized markets, but most credit grantors who report to them will probably also report to at least one of the three major credit bureaus as listed above. They are also sometimes referred to as consumer reportings
agencies (CRAs).
back to top
What are the Prices on Reports from the Major Credit Bureaus?
Costs are subject to change without notice.
|
Experian
|
|
Connecticut
|
$5.00 1st copy each years (plus $0.30 tax). $7.50 for additional copies (plus $0.45 tax).
|
|
Colorado
|
1 free report each calendar year.
|
|
Georgia
|
2 free reports each calendar year.
|
|
Hawaii
|
$8.00 (plus $0.32 tax).
|
|
Illinois
|
$8.00 (plus $0.48 tax for Chicago residents).
|
|
Maine
|
$2.00
|
|
Massachusetts
|
1 free report each calendar year.
|
|
Maryland
|
1 free report each calendar year.
|
|
New Mexico
|
$8.00 (plus $0.46 tax).
|
|
New York
|
$8.00 (plus $0.66 tax).
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
$8.00 (plus $0.56 tax).
|
|
South Carolina
|
$8.00 (plus $0.32 tax).
|
|
South Dakota
|
$8.00 (plus $0.32 tax).
|
|
Texas
|
$8.00 (plus $0.66 tax).
|
|
Vermont
|
1 free report each calendar year.
|
|
Washington D.C.
|
$8.00 (plus $0.46 tax).
|
|
West Virginia
|
$8.00 (plus $0.48 tax).
|
|
|
Equifax
|
|
All states not listed below
|
$8.00
|
|
Connecticut
|
$5.00
|
|
Maine
|
$3.00
|
|
Colorado
|
Call 1-800-997-2493
|
|
Georgia
|
|
Maryland
|
|
Massachusetts
|
|
Vermont
|
|
|
Trans Union
|
|
All states not listed below
|
$8.00
|
|
Colorado
|
Free
|
|
Connecticut
|
$5.00
|
|
Georgia
|
2 free reports each calendar year.
|
|
Maine
|
$2.00
|
|
Maryland
|
1 free report each calendar year.
|
|
Massachusetts
|
1 free report each calendar year.
|
|
Vermont
|
1 free report each calendar year.
|
|
Virgin Islands
|
$1.00
|
|
back to top
Where do Credit Bureaus Get Their Information?
A credit bureau collects and maintains information on the majority of Americans, but they are not affiliated with the government in any way. You have some rights and protection through the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
The credit bureaus gather your credit information
from credit grantors, list the information in your credit file and then provide it to other credit grantors who want to to see your credit history
before they decide to lend you money. If you have shown any tendency to pay late or to default on paying your financial commitments, many
credit grantors' computers are programmed to immediately reject your application.
Credit bureaus get your personal information from the same lenders
who grant you credit through agreements they have made that require the credit grantor to inform the credit bureau of everything that occurs in your relationship with the credit grantor.
For example, if you are late with a payment, this fact is quickly reported
to at least one of the major credit bureaus and is added to your credit history. Credit reports not only show how you are currently managing
your credit, they are also histories of everything you have done in the past as far as your credit is concerned.
back to top
|
